Device for distributing powdery substances



May 27,' 1930. L. B. PLATT 1,759,998

DEVICE FORDISTRIBUTING POWDERY SUBSTNCES Filed sept. 10, 1927 PatentedMay 27,Y 17930 PATENT caricia LESTER B. AIPLA'JVT, OF CALDWELL, lNEWJERSEY DEVICE FOR DISTRIBUTXNG POV/'DERY SUBSTANGES Application filedSeptember 10, 1927. Serial No. 218,609;

This invention relates to improvements in a device for distributingpowdery substances and has for one of its objects the provision of anarticle of this kind which is eflicient for the sto-rage anddistribution of condiments such as salt, pepper and the like and alsoother powdery substances, undery all kinds of atmospheric conditions.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a device of thiskind which is composed of few parts, may be readily and cheaply made ofvarious materials, which is capable of adjustment so as to vary thequantity of the substance distributed and also pern'ianently closed, andwhich is also susceptiale to manufacture of materials of various colorswhereby devices of attractivey and ornamental appearance kmay beprovided.

A further object isthe provision of such an article by which thesubstance is distributed from-the bottom of the article, a combinedvalve and distributing member forming the bottom ofthe device.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as mayhereinafter appear, this invention consists in the construction,combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter describedv and thensought to be y defined in the appended claims, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and which show, merelyfor the purpose of illustrative disclosures, various embodiments of thisinvention,v it being expressly understood, however, rthat variouschanges may be made in practice within the scope of the claims withoutdif grossing from my inventive idea.

, Tn the'drawings Figure 1 represents an elevationv of a. deviceconstructed to embody my' invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical central cross section f through the same.

Figure 3 is a'pers'pectiveview showing the y various parts used in theconstruction of Figure 2, in unassembledrelation.

Figure el is a detail perspective View of the upper part of the body ofthe device illustrating a modified form of neck.

.Figure is a detail perspective View of a modified form of closing anddistributing member. y

. Figure 6 is a detail perspective view of the upper vportion of a bodyshowing a modified form of neck and a split washer.

Figure 7 is a similar view of the'upper portion of a body showing afurther modification of a neck.

Referring new to the drawings and first to Figures 1, 2 and 3, thenumeral 1 designates the body of the device as a whole. This may beformed in various shapes such as one of the conventional salt cellarshapes illustrated or in any otherv suitablek and attractive form. Itmay be made of various materials suoli as glass, compositions of variouskinds, which ,may be colored or ornamented in different ways, metal,etc. This body is hallowed out in the form of a casing' having theopening 2 at its lower end, the lower edge of the casing' being bevelledas at 3 to form a seat for the combined closing and distributing member.The other end of thebody or casing 1 is formed with a neck 4 of solidmaterial, which extends or projects upwardly' therefrom.

This neck l is bored as at 5 to form a passage for the operating rod 6.This operating rod 6 is secured at its upper end tothe operating button7 which is hollow and has the extended sides 8 to iit over or overhangthe edges kof they neck portion 4. Spring member 9, which is preferablyhelical or conical, is positioned between the top of the neck l andthefinside surface ofthe button? so as to force the butr,t0n in anupward direction and therebymove the rod upwardly( The operating button7 is bored in a plurality of places as at 10 to receive the adjustingmembers 11 which are in the form of screws having the studs orproiections 12 on their 4lower ends. -The upper surface of the neck 4:ofthe body is formed on an incline or a plurality of inclines to afforda plurality of cam surfaces llhaving abrupt shoulders 1K4V therebetween.The studs or projections 12 v surfaces when the operating button isdepressed so as to limit the downward move nient of the operating rod 6.By turning theA operating button these studs 4or vprojections 95 on theadjusting screws 11 engage these camv 12 will be opposite a differentportion of the cam surfaoeand, therefore, the amount of downwardmovement ofthe operating button 7 may` be varied by turning adjustmentlthereof. K

The closing and distributing member 15 isV of general disc shapeVYhaving itsout-side edge bevelled as at 16 to provide the valve seatingedge 17 which is adapted to engage the bevelled surface 3 at-theopeninginto the bottom of the body oi casin This closing and distributingmember is formed or provided with the stud or projection 18 which islongii tudinally bored as at. 19 to receive the lower end oftheoperating rod 6. YA detach able coni'iection' is provided between thelower end of the operating rod G and the closing and distributing memberand this includes the coil spring 20, which Yis jammed or fits tightly`fithin the lower portion of the bore 19 and engages the lower end of therod 3 when inserted therein, and a bayonet slot connection, This Y isprovided by pins 21V on the lower part of therod 6 and the bayonet slotson the stud Lor projection 18. vThen the parts arev assembled sothat'the pins 21 enter the slot-s Q2 and the closing and distributingmember 15 andthe operating rod 6V turn relative to each other, the pins21 pass through the horizontal portions of the bayonet slots 22 andengage theshort upward portion of the slot 23,

[being held therein by the spring pressure.

The closing and distributing member 15may be rovided with an a erture241 to ermit P P P the escape of any of the powdered substance whichinadvertently enters the slotrQZ andV the bore 19 thereof.

i The cam construction of the upper surface of theneck 4 ofthe body 1,of course, may be made in various ways. For instance, fas

shown in Figure 6, the cam'surfaces may be i 'in the'form ofcam ridges25, which terminate therebetween). y Y' y Y Y Another slightmodificationis illustrated short of eachvotherto leavethev slot ordefpression 26. In Figure 6 two/of such cam Vridges are'shown but `more maybe utiliz-ed (see F igurer'where four of Vsuch cam ridges are shownwith` thev depressions or slots 26 in Figure -l in which av groove ordepression Q7 isf positionedndjacent the 'shoulders "11i fand at thebottomof the cam surface This slot isY for the purpose of receiving thepin or pro- Y jectionl so as torpermit a maximum depression of theVoperating Vlcap or button,'as.will

described. This' last-menever, it is-extended'downwardly as at 29 and Ahas the spokes ,or ribs 30 radiating'therefroin l button.

operating button may move when depressed toa baseY ring or rim 31, whichis large enough to provide a secure foundation for supporting thelai-0er container. The upper edgesof these spokes or ribs are sharp'asat In the 'construction shown in Figures Q and 3 the operating Y.buttonhas a screwthreaded and detachable connection with the operating rod 6.It is ,possible'that these i vparts may be permanently connected and inconstructions in whichthis is done I provide (see Figures 6 and 7)grooves 33 extending laterally from the bore 5 through the neck Li ofthe body. These 'grooves will permit the withdrawal of the pins 21 onthe lower end of the operating rod.. When this is Aused I also use asplit washer 34 (see Figure 6) of flexible material to prevent leakage.

It is therefore seen thatwhen the parts of this device areiassembled theamount of movement V.between the yclosure and distributing member andthe bottom edge of the body or casing 1 maybe varied by turning eitherthe closure or distributing member itself or the This varies theVdistance that the as it is limited by the engagement ofthe studs orpins 12 with the cam surfaces 13. This affords a. ready meansA vfor Ydetermining the amount of movement between the parts and the distancewhich the closure andV distributing ,member maybe moved away from thebottom edge of the body or casing, therefore determining the" quantityof material lto be distributed at anyone time.v .ThisV opening Y 1movement is accomplishedby pressing on the 'button with the thumb orfinger of the user against the normal pressure of the vspring Y member19, so that when'the digital pressure is released, the partswill,because of the pres,- sure of the-spring, be forced totheir normalclosed position. Furthermore, whenthe de- 'vice is at rest, the fiatsurface of the closure and distributing member may form the bot'- tom orbaseof the device uponwhich thedevice as a wliolerests, or may beextendedas fshown in Figure 5', withtheresultantv assist-V ance inkeeping the closurev member tightly casing.

'The relative arrangement and size of theV "cams'urfaces andthe adjustingfserews on theV one hand andthe bayonet and slotconnectionbetweenthe operating rod 6 and the closure Y if and distributing member15, preferably are Y f so proportionedas to provide that the device? maybe opened for filling and cleaning ypur Y poses'at certain' definitepositionsV only, in'

what might be. called maximum position or where the operating-button maybe depressed Y. Y

the greatest distance. This position willv be at the lowest point of thecams of Figures 2 closed against the bottom edge of the body and l Y and3, or at tliefslot or depression 26of VFig-V f ures 6 and 7,: orV atthegroove :or'slot 27 of igure 4. Unless' the pins 121register with theseslots or grooves or the-lower portion of manufacture from materialslwhich are'not .1J/sense the cam surfaces, insuflicient movement ispermitted between the closure and distributing member 15 and the loweredge of the bodyv or casing. In other words, it is impossible todisconnect the closure and distributing niember fr-om the lower end ofthe operating rod. On the other hand, when the pins 12 are notregistered with these grooves or slots or the lowest portion of the camsurfaces, the closure and distributing member may be forced upwardlyrelative to the rod and turned so as to be disconnected therefrom. Thedevice is then open for filling or replenishment, as the case may be.The parts may be suitably marked to indicate the opening position or toindicate the adjustment so that the quan tity of distribution may beascertained.

These articles are made of very few parts and, therefore, can bemanufactured quickly and efficiently at a relative minimum expense. Theadjustment to provide for a regulated discharge is veryfsimple and thepermanent closure of the article may be accomplished by a slight turn ofeither the operating buttonV on the one hand or the closure ordistributing member on the otherhand. The operation for distribution isvery simple including holding the article between certain fingers andapplying pressure to the operating but' ton with the thumb lor anotherfinger, whereby the customary manipulation or shaking vof the articleresults in an efficient distribution in suitably regulated quantities ofthe sub-1 stance contained within the article.

This construction lends itself admirably to subject to corrosion anddampness such as metal, and for this purpose glass, vvarious compositionproducts such as catalin, and the like may be utilized. Using suchmaterials, the article may be made of very ornamental and attractiveappearance due to color schemes that may be utilized and the usev ofcontrasting colors for the separate parts.

Attention is particularly called to the line contact between the sharpedge 17 and the bevelled surface 3 of the opening into the casing. Thisconstruction prevents the retention of any powdered substance betweenthese parts when they contact with eachother and also preventswedging orpacking of the material during the closing operation. The entirestructure of the closure and distributing member and its connection withthe. operating'rod is designed with the idea of pre- ;venting kthepacking yor wedging of the pow-v dered substance during any closingopera-v tion. By that is meant that the lines are straight or verticaland there are substantial distances between the stud or projection 18 ofthe closure and distributing kmember and the inner surfaces of thecasing.

What I claim is f. v

1. A device of the character described including, in combination, ahollow body portion having its lower end open and having a neck at itsupper end, said neck having an opening therethrough, a closure anddistributing member adapted `to fit the open endv of the body portion, arod connected to saidv closure and distributing member and slidablyextending through said opening in said neck, a button for operating saidrod, and cooperating adjustable means between said neck and said buttonwhereby upon proper adjustment of said cooperating means thelongitudinal movement of said button and rodmay be varied by rotation ofsaidbutton.

2. A device of the character described including, in combination, ahollow body porf tion having its lower end open and having a neck at itsupper end, said neck having an opening therethrough, a closure anddistributing member adapted to fit theopen end of the body portion, arod connected tosaid closure and distributing member and Slidablyextending through said opening]r in said neck, a button for operatingsaid rod and cooperating means between said neck and said button wherebyupon proper adjustment ofsaid cooperating means the longitudinalmovement of said button and rod may be ton for operating said rod, andcooperating means between said neck and said button whereby upon properadjustment of said cooperating means the longitudinal movement of saidbutton and rod may be varied by rotatiou of said button, saidcooperating means;y lincluding a plurality of stationary cams and aplurality of movable projections adapted to engage said cams. j

l1. A device of the character,described including, in combination, ahollow body por@ tion having itslower end open and having a neck at itsupper end, said neck having an opening therethrough. a closure anddistributing member adapted to tit theopen pend of the body portion, arod'connected to saidf closure and distributing member and slid* ably,extending through said opening in said neck, a button for operating saidrod and co-l operating ineans between said neck and said button wherebyupon proper adjustmentofi said cooperating means the longitudinalmovement of said button and rod may be varied by rotation of saidbutton, said meansv los including a. plural-ity of cams on sait-lneckanda. plurality of adjustable members projecting i MY ' i roinsaid buttonand adaptedito 'engage said cams.

5. A device ofthe ,character ldescribed including, lin combination, ahollow body portion having its lower end open andY having a vneck atitsupperfend, said neck' having an 'openingtherethrough, a closure anddistribbuting member adapted to tit the open end of the body portion, arod connected to said Vclosure and distributing member andslidablyextending through said opening in said neck, a button for operatingVsaid rod, and cooperating ineans'between said neck and said lbuttonvand operable by rotaryadj ustinent oi' the button, whereby upon properadjustment of. said cooperating means the longitudinal movement ot' saidbutton and rod maybe Vneck at its upper end, said neck having an openingtherethrough, a closure andfdistributing member adapted to iit the openend vof the -body portion, a rod connected to said closure anddistributing member andslidably Y extending. through said opening inVsaid neck, f a button for operating said rod, a spring interposedbetween said button and said neckr so asto normally hold the`closure-and distributing'meinber in closed relation to said? bodyand'ineans operable a rotary movement ofthe buttonV for limiting therelative downward movement of said button and rod and closure anddistributing member.-

7. A'device of `the character described including, in combination, ahollow body por-v tion having its lower end open and havinga "neck atits upper end, said neck having an opening t'herethrough,: a closure and.dis-

tributing member adapted to fit- Vthe open end f of the body portion, avrod connected Vto said closureand distributing member and slidablyextending through said opening in Vsaid neck,

va button for operating said rod, aspi'ing in- ,507

terposed between saidbuttonand said neck so to nmfinallyfhold theclosure and distributing member 'in-'closed relation to: saidV body,

and means operable byra rotary adjustment `of theV button forliiniting'the relative downward movement of said button,aiid rodV andclosure andfdistributing member, said means 1 being adjustable so as tovary the movement.

8 f A 'd .vice'ofjthe character described in- I lcluding, incombination, a hollow casing having anV opening at its bottom, :avclosure and distributing member positioned in said openjing,aiioperatingbutton on .top of said casing and having an operative connection with jsaid. closurekand distributing memberv where- 1 by fwhengfsaid'button isdepressed, theY closure'r and distributing member will be opened, and

means operable by a'rotary movement of the Y button for' varying theextentbf possible downward movement of the button.

9. A device of the character described in- Y cluding, in combination, ahollow easing having an opening at its bottom, a 'closure anddistributing member positioned in said lopening, an operating .buttonvontop oi" said casing and having an operative connection with said.

closure and distributing member .whereby when said button is depressed,the closure.

and distributing member will be opened, and

adjustable projectionson said button.

l0. A device of the character described including, in combination,aihollow casing having an opening at its bottom, a closure anddistributing member positioned in said` opening, an operating button ontop of rsai-d casing rand having an operative connectionwith `saidclosure and distributing member whereby -wlien said' button isdepressed, the closure and distributing memberl will be'opened, and

means operable by arotary movement of the ymeans for varying the extentof longitudinal y Vmovement of the button relative tothe .cas-

ing, said means including a pluralityVv of cam surfaces on said casingand a plurality ot' button for varying the extent of longitudinalmovement of the button, said closure-and dis ti'ibuting member beingprovided with inea-nsy Y for permitting detachment only .when thepartsare adjusted to permit the greatest relative movementof theoperatinglbutton.

Y 1l. A device of the character described, infcluding in combination, acasing'havin'g its lower end open, an operating button on its urey anddistributing'member connected to said rod and adapted to lit into andclose, the

open end of said casing and means operable by a rotary movement of thebutton forvaryi-fV 'ing the extent to which said closure and dis- Y 1iny tributing member maybe opened. l2. A device rofthe character'describedincluding, incoinbin'ation, avcasing having its lower endopen, an operatingbuttonon its Vupper end. an` operating rod connectedtheretol and slidably mounted in the casing, a closureV and distributingineinberfconnected to saidv rodand adapted to; fit Yinto and close the'openend saidcasingand means'foperable by a rotary movement of the buttonfor vary- Ain;Y the extent to 'which said closure and disl ,tributingmember may be opened,the vconl nectionbetween said Closureanddistributing; ineinber and said rod `being provided with means torpermitting the detachment ofthe 4closure and' distributing inemberonlywhen; the adgustinent is made for the' greatest moveinentfV Y. A l- 13.A device of the characterdescribed, including-,in combination, a casinghaving its lower end open, anoperatingbutton on its' upper end, anoperating rod connected there- Y to'and slidably mounted in the casing,a closv upper end, anoperating rod or plunger connected thereto andslidably mounted in the casing, a closure and distributing memberconnected to said rod and adapted to fit into and close thev open end ofsaid casing and means for varying the extent to which said closure anddistributing member may be opened, the connection lbetween the closureand distributing member and the rod including a bayonet slot connectionand spring means interposed between closure and distributing member andthe operating rod so that the closure and distributing member may bepartially rotated for detachment only when the adjustment is made topermit opening to the greatest distance.

14. A device of the character described including, in combination, ahollow casing open at one end, a button at the other end, a closure anddistributing member for the open end, means connecting said button andsaid closure and distributing member interposed between the top of saidcasing and said button to normally hold the closure and distributingmember in closed position, said button having a plurality of adjustableprojections and said casing having a plurality of cam surfaces acting asabutments to be engaged by sald projections when the button is depressedso as to v limit the extent of movement thereof, said closure anddistributing member being provided with means for permitting detachmentfrom said connecting means only when the parts are adjusted sov as topermit the greatest movement of the button.

15. A device of the character described including, in combination, ahollow casing open at one end, an operating member at the other endprovided with a closure and distributing member for the open end, saidclosure and distributing member having its outer edge bevelled orinclined downwardly so as to pro! vide a sharp seating edge to engagethe inner surface of the hollow casing, the inner surface of said hollowcasing being bevelled oppositely to the bevel of the edge of the closureand distributing member so as to prevent retention of the powderedmaterial therebetween Wlien the parts are in contact.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing, I have hereunto set my handthis 6th day of September, 1927.

LESTER B. PLATT.

